The Opioid Crisis: You Can Make A Difference!
There is not one congregation and probably not one family that has not been affected tragically by the disease of addiction, whether that is by opioids, alcohol, tobacco, food, gambling, sex or computer/game/I-phone addiction.
What newscast does not include something on tragedy caused by addiction? What extended family has not had someone with an addiction problem? What hospital is not one-third full of patients there due to addictive problems? Even though addiction is America’s number one health problem, our understanding of this disease is woefully inadequate.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognizes that faith-based and community partners eagerly and willingly step in to meet the needs of their colleagues, friends and neighbors — especially during a crisis. As such, we want to equip our partners to respond to the current opioid health crisis — complementing their compassion and local understanding with the expertise of HHS.
Workshop Presenters:
Rev. Kal Rissman - Pastor Kal, ELCA, has spent almost 40 years of his ministry working with addictions as a Master Addiction Counselor, Nicotine Dependency Counselor, Marriage and Family Life Therapist, hospital chaplain and parish pastor.
Rev. Aimee Wollman Nesseth, M.Div, M.S. BCC – Aimee is a Board Certified Chaplain in the ELCA who is currently on leave from call and working as the Program Coordinator for the Northwest WI Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition. She is responsible for building a coalition of public and private healthcare organizations, including faith communities, to build resilience and increase emergency preparedness.
There is no cost for this workshop! It is fully covered by a grant written by Aimee Wollman Nesseth, M.Div, M.S. BCC of the NWWI Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition (NWWIHERC)
Tuesday, February 19 at Luther Park Bible Camp
Registration starts at 9AM
Session 1: 10AM – 11AM Addiction general overview
Session 2: 11AM – Noon Opioid Addiction/Alcohol Addiction
Lunch Noon – 12:45PM
Session 3: 12:45-1:45 Role of Congregation/Family in Addiction
Session 4: 1:45 – 2:30 How to Use the Resources
Materials: Every Congregation will receive the following resources at the workshop:
1 copy of the DVD Knowledge to Power: Understanding and Overcoming Addiction
1 copy of the book Knowledge to Power: Understanding and Overcoming Addiction
These two resources not only offer a non-judgmental understanding of addiction, they also offer concrete solutions and hope to those afflicted with the disease and those affected by the disease. This knowledge could change your life. It just might save a friend or loved one’s!
1 Set of print resources from Health and Human Services
This toolkit, which is segmented into seven key areas, briefly covers practical ways your community can consider bringing hope and healing to those in need.